Smithfield Township needs to make billing changes

Wednesday

It's clear that Smithfield Township supervisors and Board of Auditors have a way to go to formalize — and make transparent — township benefits and payment policies.

It's clear that Smithfield Township supervisors and Board of Auditors have a way to go to formalize — and make transparent — township benefits and payment policies.

The boards recently discussed supervisor work hours, how one supervisor was granted township health insurance coverage, and the billing practices of the township's consulting attorney.

The decision to grant health insurance to Supervisor Christine Griffin for her non-supervisor job as a part-time township worker wasn't made at a public meeting, according to a statement by township Secretary/Treasurer Jackie Ocker. Ocker said neither she, Griffin, nor township attorney John Hiscott could find any documentation showing a township code requirement for such actions to be approved in a public meeting was met. The supervisors said they approved the insurance coverage in a work session for which no minutes exist, Ocker added.

Griffin received Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage for 11 months, until April, when coverage was canceled by the provider because Griffin didn't meet the minimum requirement of working for the township (aside from her supervisor duties) at least 30 hours a week.

The lack of documentation showing approval for Supervisor Griffin's health coverage is a serious problem for which a clearer explanation is needed.

Ocker addressed another problem pertaining to Hiscott's billing method for legal work he does on the township's behalf. She said the supervisors have asked for separate billings for work done by Hiscott on matters that he knows are reimbursable from other sources. But Hiscott continues to submit one bill, portions of which have "to be redacted with a very unprofessional result."

The result, says Ocker, is the majority of solicitor's fees are paid from the general fund, which provides no opportunity for taxpayer reimbursement.

If township taxpayers are being shortchanged, then the supervisors must insist that this billing policy end immediately. Failing that — particularly given the hefty legal bills reported in the past — the supervisors must immediately move to find a new consulting attorney.

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